2020-W $50 Proof American Buffalo Gold Coin Released

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Today, April 9, the United States Mint kicked off sales of the 2020-W $50 Proof American Gold Buffalo. Made for coin collectors and containing 1 ounce of .9999 fine 24-karat gold, the piece debuted for $2,315.

U.S. Mint Product Images 2020-W $50 Proof American Buffalo Gold Coin
U.S. Mint product Images for the 2020-W $50 Proof American Buffalo Gold Coin. The coin ships in a hardwood box with a matte finish and a leather-like inset. It is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

This release is the numismatic version of a companion bullion coin made for investors. Both are authorized under Public Law 109-145.

"The American Buffalo One Ounce Gold Proof Coin is the first 24-karat gold proof coin ever struck by the U.S. Mint and is the coin collector version of the official United States Mint American Buffalo Gold Bullion Coin," the U.S. Mint describes.

Sales of Proof American Buffalo Gold Coins from 2006 to 2019

The first proof American Gold Buffalo launched in 2006. The 1-ounce coins opened at prices and achieved sales of:

Year Debut Price Final Sales
2019 (released on April 12) $1,660.00 14,279*
2018 (released on May 10) $1,710.00 15,756
2017 (released on May 11) $1,590.00 15,810
2016 (released on March 31) $1,590.00 21,878
2015 (released on April 9) $1,590.00 16,591
2014 (released on May 8) $1,640.00 20,557
2013 (released on May 23) $1,790.00 18,594
2012 (released March 15) $1,960.00 19,715
2011 (released May 19) $1,760.00 28,683
2010 (released June 3) $1,510.00 49,263
2009 (released October 29) $1,360.00 49,306
2008 (released July 22) $1,199.95 18,863
2007 (released May 23) $825.95 58,998
2006 (released June 22) $800.00 246,267

 

*The 2019-dated coin is currently unavailable. The U.S. Mint last published it sales through the week ending Jan. 12, 2020, so its final figure is likely higher.

Along with the 1-ounce proof and bullion coins, the U.S. Mint has issued other variations of the American Gold Buffalo to include fractional editions and a special reverse proof to celebrate the anniversary of the designs.

Coin Designs

The gold coin’s obverse showcases a right-facing portrait of a Native American. The image by James Earle Fraser is said to be created from a composite of three different individuals. Inscriptions around the design include ‘LIBERTY’, a ‘W’ mint mark to denote its production at the West Point Mint, ‘2020’, and an ‘F’ for the artist’s initial.

2020-W $50 Proof American Buffalo Gold Coin - Obverse
This image shows the gold coin’s obverse or heads side

On the reverse, also designed by Fraser, is a single American Buffalo, or bison, surrounded by inscriptions of ‘UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,’ ‘E PLURIBUS UNUM,’ ‘IN GOD WE TRUST,’ the coin’s legal tender face value of ‘$50’ and its weight and fineness of ‘1 OZ. .9999 FINE GOLD’.

2020-W $50 Proof American Buffalo Gold Coin - Reverse
This image shows the coin’s reverse or tails side

Coin specifications include a diameter of 1.287 inches (32.70 mm), a weight of 31.103 grams, and a reeded edge.

Ordering

The 2020-W $50 Proof American Buffalo Gold Coin may be ordered directly from the U.S. Mint via its webpage dedicated to gold coins, or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).

Its price of $2,315 will change over time, possibly weekly. The Mint’s numismatic gold coins are tied to its pricing matrix and gold market conditions.

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tom thumb

to much for my blood

Jake

I like your thinking

Seth Riesling

A $655 price increase since last year’s issue!? Simply Asinine!

NumisdudeTX

c_q

the margin above gold spot is $600 or so now for these, and that’s just way too much for this kind of thing.

sam tweedy

Don’t worry Mike Mezack will soon have a “DEAL” for you…Understand!!!

MJS

Im glad to see people leaving comments!! Maybe things are beginning to get back to normal??

Piedmont

The stupid CAPTCHA verification was generating error codes, and preventing comments and responses from being submitted.
I repeatedly tried to reach out to Mr. Unser about this and got no reply, so I gave up and haven’t paid attention to articles on here for some time.
That may have been the case for others.

Rooster

Still having captcha issues. Can’t comment. It’s been a month or two now.

Rooster

Finally working. Took a few tries.

Rooster

Pass

Rooster

The us mint has been slowly weaning me away. This years pricing has pretty much set me free. I have been a long time collector. It’s been fun but got to let it go.

RonnieBGood

Hey guys,
I started when gold was between $800 & $900 around 2007 – 2008. A reasonable return, however, the spread was A Lot less than it is now!

cagcrisp

Mike, can you get some updated sales numbers from the Mint for the Buffalo?

CoinNews.net

Sorry! The U.S. Mint sent me the coin’s first-day sales on Friday and I missed the notice. It reached 4,750.

cagcrisp

Thank you very much…

Dwight

The 2020-W $50 Proof American Buffalo Gold Coins (item 20EL) last priced for $2,615 sold out by Sunday December 6, 2020. Their ending sales figures of 11,887 makes them the lowest mintage ever of the series.

Mike

Went up another $100.00 on April 15th way too much for this coin.